How Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Has Been Affected By Old Release Dates

August now typically indicates that a Samsung Galaxy Note launch is near. However, the Galaxy Note 8 may not hit stores until September, if recent reports are to be believed. Releases for the Galaxy Note line have varied since its original introduction to the market in 2011, but each prior release gives clues about what to expect for the coming launch. Here’s a rundown of the history of Galaxy Note device launches and what the upcoming release means for Samsung.

Galaxy Note 8 Unpacked Invite Photo: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 - Sept.15?

Samsung has sent invites for its Aug. 23 Unpacked event, where the Galaxy Note 8 is expected to be unveiled. But rumors have long suggested a market launch between September and October for the upcoming smartphone. Most recently, ETNews suggested a Sept. 15 availability date for the Galaxy Note 8 in Korea and possibly by extension markets such as the U.S., China, and Europe. Smaller markets are expected to begin selling the device in October. A representative from a Korean mobile network told ETNews that Samsung has locked in a market launch date for the Galaxy Note 8, which will not change at this point.

Reports also indicate Samsung may begin accepting Galaxy Note 8 preorders as soon as Aug. 25. However, no dates beyond the device’s unveiling have been confirmed.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Unpacked Invite Photo: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 - Aug. 19

The ill-fated Galaxy Note 7 launched to market Aug. 19, 2016, after being announced Aug. 2, 2016. The device had the earliest unveiling and market launch dates of the entire Galaxy Note line, which many consider may have led to the device’s ultimate discontinuation. It is likely the fate of the Galaxy Note 7 is why Samsung has elected to announce the Galaxy Note 8 much later in August. The late unveiling hits several points, including having the device be official during the summer but before IFA so it can be showcased at the conference.

The Galaxy Note 8 will likely also be announced before the next iPhone, regardless of when Apple’s upcoming flagship is released. However, Samsung may be cutting it close, considering the iPhone 7 released to market Sept. 16, 2016. The iPhone 7s and/or iPhone 8 may become available to consumers in a similar timeframe, but rumors hint the device may experience a market delay.

Samsung may showcase some of its latest smartphones at its latest Unpacked event.Photo: Samsung Electronics

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 - Aug. 21

The Aug. 13 unveiling and Aug. 21 release of the Galaxy Note 5 was a curveball the market didn’t expect. Samsung was known to announce its phablet line during the IFA conference in September. However, there were other details amid this launch to take into consideration, such as Samsung also launching the Galaxy S6 Edge+. The device was Samsung’s first dual-edge curved display phablet. It essentially served as a test bed for Samsung ushering in the Galaxy Note 7 with a dual-edge design and S-Pen.

It seems Samsung was aiming to give the Galaxy Note 7 maximum market exposure for its never before seen combination of features. Had the device survived it would have been on the market for at least seven months before the Galaxy S8 arrived. This could have been an ample opportunity to grow the market share of the Note line.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 - Oct. 17

The Galaxy Note 4 was unveiled Sept. 3 and released Oct. 17, 2014, and was one of the Samsung’s first premium devices to have a more universal launch date, with all of the major U.S carriers making it available on the same date. However, Samsung went into a bit of a panic mode when the iPhone 6 released with an updating design and bumped the Galaxy Note 4 market launch up to Sept. 26 in Korea. While other markets began selling the device between October and November, this release season forever changed the Samsung tackled its launches. This was also the last time Samsung announced a Galaxy Note device at IFA. Samsung gingerly bumped the Galaxy Note 5 (and Galaxy S6 Edge+) launch from early September to mid-August.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 - Sept. 25

The Galaxy Note 3 was unveiled Sept. 4 and released internationally Sept. 25, 2013 and in October in the U.S. The Galaxy Note 3 likely got a boost in its market release due to Samsung introducing a new design to the device. While the Galaxy Note 3 was still made of polycarbonate plastic, its back panel featured a textured design, similar to leather. Samsung used a similar design for the Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy Note Edge.

Unpacked InvitePhoto: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 - October

The Galaxy Note 2 was unveiled Aug. 29, 2012, likely because the date coincided with IFA that year. The smartphone released in October 2012, in the U.S., depending on the carrier. At this time it was common for mobile networks to have individual release dates for popular devices, as per their own marketing strategies.

Unpacked Invite Photo: Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Note - October

The original Galaxy Note was unveiled Sept. 1, 2011, during IFA, and released in October 2011. This set the fall launch trend for several subsequent Galaxy Note models as the device established its footing in the market.